Customs agent for pets Landing at Heathrow

Hi all! I am working on trying to get my dog flown over from the US into Heathrow. The documentation and all is being put together, and so far the arrangements are going ok. However, I have heard that we also have to pay to hire/arrange for a customs agent to collect our dog and escort it to family when they arrive in Heathrow? Is this true or is it optional? I plan on being there to pick her up, and people I know who have moved here and had pets flown did not have to do this. I just want to make sure I not paying for an excessive fee (one quote I got was 375 pounds) when it is not necessary. Any advice would be great- thanks!

Sorry for being one of those people are can't really answer because my situation wasn't exactly the same, but I flew my cat over and though his was only a layover at Heathrow I did not need an agent in Newcastle.  The transport company should just give you the information on where to pick up your dog at the cargo facility. 

Yes, you do need an agent.  I brought my dog over in 2009, so things may have changed, but back then there was only one option of agent - James Cargo. http://www.jamescargo.com/

We picked up our dog and two cats at Heathrow. My partner had been on the same flight, although I doubt that made any difference. The paperwork was a nightmare, but picking them up was fine. About the paperwork, though: DEFRA only told us about part of the paperwork. It wasn't until my partner went to the USDA vet for the final wave of the magic feather over the stack of paperwork our vet had put together that she found out it wasn't complete. So listen to the USDA vet, not DEFRA.

By the way, we were afraid the trip over would be hard on the animals, but it was fine, and so were they.

Best wishes.

Does anyone have any updated information for this topic? My dog is a boxer mix but I'm worried about flagging bc I don't understand the UK standards for banned dogs very well despite studying it. Plus I know it depends on the person looking at him.
I would be traveling with him and am trying to make sure I have the costs covered. I thought I could pick him up myself though x

I have heard the animal reception centre at Heathrow is helpful, you could try calling them. 020 8745 7895

Where is the best source of info for getting all the paperwork done on time and correctly. I have not started the process yet but will have to shortly.